continued rp with the lovely @angelfacedarling! Percy felt Jason’s soft, delicate hands run through his thick feathers, watching them spread between his fingers and gave an embarrassed smile. The gesture made his heart leap, and he felt his cheeks grow hot with blush. His crimson wings were durable, they could shield him and others from bullets and blunt objects thrown at him with ease, but when this handsome man slid his hands over them so gently, it send a shiver up his back. They were quite sensitive, and his touch had him nearly jolt upwards. “Huh? Ah, something light and easy would be perfect! Come, I’ll fly you down gently this time…” Percy began, and felt his eyes widen with surprise when Jason reached in and ruffled his hair, his own blonde locks soft to the touch, but messy, under his fingers. As Jason played with his hair, he was unaware of his own beauty. His strawberry-blonde hair shimmering under the sunlight, and he had such a charming smile on his face. It’d been a while since another person caught his eye like this; it was true that he flirted with people at the Casino, it was his job to charm more money from their pockets… But Jason was a rare beauty. Percy couldn’t help but stare as his cheeks grew redder, but blinked once he heard his stomach growl hungrily. It made him snort in amusement before laughing, and he reached his own hand in to ruffle Jason’s hair, their arms held out beside one another, with both their hands in each others hair. “You think I’m pretty? You’re only saying that cuz you’ve been surrounded by those people for so long.” Percy laughed, referring to the old grey desk workers, the pack of hyenas that were known as The Seven, and the ever daunting Homelander. “Anyone would look young and pretty compared to them. But thank you. Look, you got me blushing and everything.” He smiled that boyish smile, and kept playing with his hair before he finally pulled away, as hesitant as he was- he just wanted to sit with him and enjoy his company while he could, but they were both quite hungry now. Without warning, Percy leaned his hands in and grabbed Jason, hoisting him into his arms to fly him down, but unlike before, he was much more clumsy and nervous with his hands. All that touching earlier made him flustered like some high-school boy, and he nearly dropped him a few times before he got a good hold on him. “Sorry! Ah, you’ll never want to fly with me again at this rate...” The new hero gave a sheepish grin, before he stepped on the railing, it creaking under their weight before he leapt down. Like promised, there was nothing to be scared of- Percy flew with Jason safely tucked in his arms, and it was a slow and easy flight to the cafe on Broadway. The sun was warm on their faces, but the soft wind of flying left them feeling cooled and refreshed. It was one of the benefits of flying, one that Percy was thankful for. He could do without all the splattered bugs, though. When they arrived, they were met with a calm and serene setting, with a few people scattered between tables, and they were welcomed with a sweet savory scent of fresh coffee and easy foods. Percy finally put Jason back on his feet, and nudged his shoulder playfully, giving him that ‘I told you that you had nothing to worry about’ look before he opened the door for him. “My treat.” He purred, tucking his wings against his back now. “You can pick our table~ But hey, I just realized, I hardly know anything about you. I don’t have to worry about uh, stranger danger, do I? You almost seem too good to be true.” He joked, snickering a little, and followed him in the cafe.
Jason didn’t expect to be in Valiants arms again so quickly. It just happened. Being clutched so closely to him like a scared baby. Even though this flight had been much smoother. More careful of him. When they landed, he felt Percy’s hand ruffle his hair and his boyish laughter fill the air. Amused that he’d caught Jason by surprise again and took him for a flight. Even if it was short, he was surely relishing in the widened eyes and frightful Jason before him. The man’s hands would quickly work to fix his messy hair and creased suit, before feeling his cheek with one hand. The soft, red flesh flushed from such an act. Percy was going to be the death of him.
“Stranger danger..?” The blonde would chuckle, before meeting his side again. The two walking into the cafe that wasn’t too quiet but not too busy either. It was decorated in beautiful lights, giving a fantasy type aesthetic to it. The type of cafe you’d wander into after a hard days of work or a risky battle. The tables were circular and had a light, soft wood tint to them. Shiny and polished well. Everyone looked so happy as they chattered away. The entire cafe smelling of its delicious contents inside. It stirred something further in Jason’s stomach.
“Mm, you’re still a ‘stranger’ to me too, you know.. but I can tell you more about me. Anything you’d like. Name it, Val”
The men walked to the front, easing their way to the woman who awaited them. Thankfully, there was no line ahead of them. Jason smiled at her, before looking at Percy once more. His own hands shoved lazily into the pockets of his suit.
“Anything look good?” He searched his face, before returning his gaze to the menu above them. The print was kind of small; only because their menu was so huge. He was thankful though, knowing there would be plenty of options for the other blonde. He hoped he enjoyed the cafe as much as he did.
Jason turned back to the woman before taking a hand and rubbing the back of his neck, a bit sheepishly. “Hi sweetheart- I’ll have a Mocha Cappuccino with a Ham & Cheese sandwich.. Mm.. and two chocolate chip cookies” He smiled before turning back to Valiant. “I’ll leave you two to finish and find us a nice table to sit at, one of those cookies is for you by the way..” He would wink before heading off past him, searching for a table for them.
Jason settled for one in the back corner of the cafe. Wanting to enjoy some time alone with Percy, without the mix or noise from the others interrupting their conversations. He sat down onto the wooden chair and rested his hands onto his lap peacefully. His attention turning to look outside, seeing the other people eating and enjoying themselves. It must be nice to be human, to be normal. He wondered what life would be like without these powers sometimes. Almost like a sign, a moving sign flashed a picture of Homelander on the side of one of the buildings, causing Jason’s stomach to sink. Yeah, just what he needed reminded of. That headache of a man he had to take care of earlier.
It still was odd and concerning to him how he was able to feel that man’s thoughts. Was John really becoming so lost in his own emotions that it was messing with Jason’s own abilities? It’s something he’d need to start documenting. But the more he thought about it, he noticed the more he was visually showing his discomfort with the situation. He was shaking, his eyebrows instinctively furrowed. So hard, he was hurting his forehead like this. He brought his hands together, close to his mouth and huffed into them. Closing his eyes to clear his mind.
‘Don’t ruin this, Jason.. this is you and Percy’s time.. you should enjoy it’ He told himself, trying to calm his own worried mind. ‘Don’t mess this up. A cute boy actually wants to know about you!’
Percy kept his arms crossed, and took a few steps back so he could get a better look of the menu, and squinted his eyes awkwardly trying to read the seemingly endless list of options. His sight was sharp and acute, he could pinpoint a specific face from a crowd while soaring above the city and lock on- like a true bird of prey. But this made him quite farsighted if he wasn't forcing his eyes to focus, and the menu's small letters challenged that. He blinked a few times, slowly like a cat. "Ah... A clubhouse sandwich and lemonade, please." Percy finally decided and looked at the woman with a kind smile, before he paid for Jason's meal as well, and began walking across the cafe to join him. Or at least he tried, he had to squeeze past a few tables, his crimson wings often made entering tight spaces impossible even when they were tucked against his back. It would've been embarrassing if he knocked down half the store with them, and the very thought made him blush... It wouldn't have been the first time, either. "Hey Jason," Percy finally made it over to the cafe's quiet corner, and seated himself across from Jason, though he had to sit sideways to give his wings some space- it was difficult just to be comfortable with them, but he grew used to it. "Between you and me, I think that cashier has the hots for you, hehe. Why don't you ask her out? I mean, she's clearly interested..." He teased, chuckling a little as he watched this woman continue with her work, before he turned and looked at Vought's hidden gem, and blinked. Jason wore such a bothered, anxious expression- for whatever reason, he looked shaken up, and he was... trembling. Percy could hear his deep, quivering breaths that he huffed into his hands, and he seen the way his usually bright, cheerful expression darkened the more he got lost in his own thoughts. "Hey..." Percy frowned in concern, and reached his hand in, resting it on Jason's tense shoulder, his thumb rubbing just below his neck in an attempt to comfort him. "Did you.. want to talk? I uh, didn't want to mention it earlier, but you don't look so well. Come on, lay it on ol' Valiant here, let me help you." The young man's need to care for others, strangers or not, came out so naturally- nobody had been there for him, there wasn't a single person he could rely on in his childhood, so he wanted to help others. He kept his hand on his shoulder, giving him a few little pats, and slowly brought one of his wings out, blocking the rest of the cafe from view so nobody could see how shaken up he'd become. There was nothing worse than losing yourself, and having a room full of people mocking you for it. "Is someone bothering you? Hey, I know a few people that'll gladly handle it. Just point us in their direction, and we'll sort it out for you!" Percy grinned, and pulled his hand from Jason so he could punch the air, showing him he meant business, but it was all an attempt to see him smile, even if it only lasted a second.
He was forever grateful for those crimson saviors for blocking his breakdown away from the public. The beautiful stretch of those wings perfectly hid the two away. Jason looked up from his trembling hands, his soft blues meeting Percy’s. Just staring at him for a moment. Even though he hadn’t known him for long, Valiant had already left a stain on his heart. If he lost him, it would be tragic. Something he didn’t even want to entertain- but the more he dwelled on these lies that were the root of all his problems, the more he knew inevitably that Valiant would want nothing to do with him when they came out.
Jason’s hand quickly reached to grab Valiants, the one he used to show just how serious he was. If Jason wasn’t so shaken in this moment, he would smile and find something like that endearing. More like adorable. But he held his strong in the two of his- rubbing and cradling it. As if it were so precious to him. His eyes pleaded for him to listen and understand. He was going to tell him- not directly, how he was feeling in that moment, about *everything*. He was going to tell him the best he could, without giving away his secret.
“Percy.. I don’t deserve you” Jason starts, his own heart clenching at his words. They were true, even if he didn’t want them to be. “You’re an Angel.. a light in the darkness of Vought and their constant misdeeds. I’m.. just as terrible as they are- and if you only knew the things I do for them, you.. would never look at me the same” His hands continued to rub and caress Percy’s one. His eyes finally blinking after staring at him for god knows how long.
“I just want you to know that- if you ever find out from anyone one day, that- you have every right to be angry. I wouldn’t blame you for not speaking to me again. But just know.. you’ve left an unmatchable wound on my heart.. *you* are the kindest soul I’ve ever met. I know we haven’t known each other long- but I think you deserve to know how your very essence effects everyone around you. How it’s even effected me”
Talking about it, even vaguely, seemed to calm the blonde down. His hands no longer trembled, at least as badly. They seemed to use Valiants as an anchor. He’d only hoped something so vague yet intense wouldn’t drive Valiant away. Almost perfectly on time- the lady from up front came over and brought their meals and drink, looking between the two and smiling.
“Aw, you two are adorable” She would chirp before placing their items on the table in front of them. Then just as quickly disappearing. Jason could only smirk, thinking of Percy’s words from earlier. The desire to tease him slowly breaking him away from their embrace. He slowly dropped Percy’s hand and caressed his cheek teasingly.
“Did you hear that, Percy? My girlfriend thinks we’re.. ‘adorable’”
Percy blinked in surprise when Jason leaned in, grasping his hand underneath his own as he spoke in a hushed, almost frantic voice. The words that slipped from Jason's lips carried so much weight that Percy could tell he was holding back, that there was more he wanted to tell him. It caught him by surprise and he stammered a little- but he knew this meant a lot to him, and he did his best to listen. Whatever was plaguing Jason was awful weight on his shoulders, that was obvious, but was it so bad for the boy that this was all he could tell him? Was it something involving Homelander? Or did it go so much deeper than this? The thought made him shiver. This man had been nothing but sweet. What could he be hiding that made him view himself so badly? "Hey, I doubt you're as bad as everyone else at Vought... You're certainly not as uh intense as Homelander at least, right?" Percy tilted his head with a smile, chuckling softly as he slowly returned Jason's gesture, wrapping his slender fingers around the other mans comfortingly, and his thumb brushing against his knuckles. "But... Don't worry about it, okay? I get it- people do what they gotta to survive." He reassured. He knew that better than anyone, and a million examples ran through his mind- cold hands, hushed voices, and clipped wings... but he knew better than to dwell on the past. There was no use for it. He was free now, but perhaps if anyone could understand what Jason was going through, it would be him. But as they spoke, guilt gnawed his stomach, leaving it a raw pit. "But if I do hear about it, I'll come find you... I don't get scared that easily- I mean, I'm apart of the seven now. It's my job to protect you, so good luck getting rid of me." Percy showed his affection through physical gestures, it was so much easier than trying to find the right words, and without realizing, he pulled Jason's hand up, kissing his knuckles. It was a quick, brief thing, but it was his way of letting him know he had his back. Just then, the pretty waitress arrived with their food, and Percy gave an excited grin ready to dig in- but he paused feeling Jason's hand reach in to caress his cheek, and he blinked with surprise at his words. There was no doubting that mischievous glint in Jason's eyes, and it was such a relief to see after seeing him so troubled moments ago. "Your girlfriend? Lucky girl, then." Percy teased back, chuckling and giving Jason's hand a playful nuzzle- feeling just how warm and soft the palm of it was against his cheek. "Should I be jealous? I mean, I don't just take anyone for flights around the city." It was all harmless banter, but Jason did catch Percy's eye- everything about him was so polite and proper, from the way he walked, and the way he spoke. His voice was so clear and polite, and glancing down, he could see how slender his wrists were. Such pretty, pale skin... but he could see the bruises from Homelander's grasp darken it, in the shape of his hands. They peeked out from under the boy's sleeve. Vought had complete control of their lives, and this bruise felt like some cruel reminder. It was a bleak thing. "...Mm, this is so good! Try it!" Percy's eyes widened, filled with stars as he drank some of his lemonade through a straw. It was sweet, but it didn't overwhelm the natural tanginess of the lemons, and he eagerly offered it. "We have nothing like this back at the Casino- everything is alcoholic. I don't drink at all, so it sucks for me. What about you? I didn't get to ask earlier but... Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do after work? Is that pretty girl really your girlfriend? If so, I think I should offer an apology... She might get the wrong idea, pbft." He chuckled, talking about all their little affectionate gestures. But he smiled as he spoke, and his gaze was steady, never once shying away from him. He hoped he felt better, perhaps this innocent distraction was what he needed.
Jason took no time digging in, taking generous, starved bites out of his ham and cheese sandwich. It was so delicious. Words couldn’t describe the sensations that distracted his worried mind. The food and drink had arrived at a moment so perfect, anything less and he might’ve spilled the beans on his secret to Percy. Being a Supe, manipulating peoples emotions. That was something that had to wait for now, even if Percy’s reassurances did make him feel a lot better. ‘I’ll come find you.. I don’t get scared that easily..’ those words would fill him with comfort and admiration towards Percy. Knowing he wouldn’t look at him differently. There still was a small feeling though..
Percy’s excitement broke through his scattered thoughts, making Jason almost immediately smile. This cute boyish Supe was the cure, it seemed, to any negative thoughts he was having. Any self doubt. He leaned in, taking the offered straw between two fingers and took a small drink. It was everything he had described and more. Such a delicious drink. He was happy Valiant had found something to enjoy. Even more so, he knew where to stop now to surprise him in the mornings. He could already envision Percy’s happy face if he brought him a lemonade back at the tower. Hopefully something so small would help him through his rough times dealing with The Seven.
“Pretty girl? First you flirt with me, now my girlfriend? I’m almost jealous” Jason couldn’t help but tease back with a deep chuckle. It was cute to see how invested Val was with the girl upfront. He didn’t know her at all, but he could tell Percy was itching to know. He’d calm that little jealous heart, even though he enjoyed seeing him so eager to know who the mystery girl was.
“But to answer you sweetheart, I don’t know her at all. She just works here” Jason brought up a hand to ruffle the other blondes hair. Finding comfort in knowing how much Percy liked him already. Especially to be so involved in knowing about the girl upfront. “Besides, don’t think I didn’t notice how Maeve’s been eying you up. What’s the deal with that?” He cocks an eyebrow up with a smirk, feigning the same energy Valiant had towards Café girl.
“Don’t tell me you two are a thing, I don’t just let anyone fly me through the city you know~”
Jason takes a long hearty sip of his cappuccino before tapping his chin. As if pondering what he could possibly tell the young Supe. “Hmm let’s see.. I normally take care of my younger sister after work, but in my free time I normally paint and write stories. Just small activities here and there. My mother passed away when I was seventeen and ever since then I’ve had to take care of my sister, Renee. So I haven’t gotten to explore much? But I wouldn’t trade her for the world. Maybe you could meet her sometime- if you want to, I mean, you’re very special to me. She’s my last piece of family so it’d mean a lot for you to meet her”
